System for optical imaging comprising matched spectral filters

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and devices are for optical imaging are described. A system includes a light source and a light detection unit. The light source includes a light-emitting device and a first spectral filter opposite the light emitting device. The first spectral filter includes at least one dielectric filter and has a first angular dependence of a transmission passband. The light source further includes at least one reflector adjacent side surfaces of the light emitting device. The light detection unit includes an optical sensor and a second spectral filter opposite the optical sensor. The second spatial filter has a second angular dependence of a transmission passband that is matched to the first angular dependence.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems for optical imaging, inparticular in the area of optical authentication, biometry, and machinevision.

BACKGROUND

Optical imaging may be used for authentication and machine visionpurposes, for instance in automated inspection. In this context, opticalimaging may benefit from a well-controlled and defined illumination ofthe object under investigation. Therefore, typically a dedicated lightsource is used to illuminate the object. However, the influence ofambient light may be problematic in optical imaging, as ambient lightintroduces illumination from an undefined and highly varying source.Automated processing of images may therefore be hindered by theinfluence of ambient light.

As an option, ambient light image subtraction may be performed duringimage processing. The problem of the influence of ambient light may alsobe partially overcome by an optical detection unit and a dedicated lightsource with properties corresponding to each other, e.g. an IR camera incombination with an IR light source.

Spectral filters may be used to match the wavelengths emitted by thelight source to the wavelengths detected by the detection unit tosuppress the contribution of ambient light. To this end, spectralfilters are typically used for the optical detection unit, for instancein a camera system. The spectral filter has transmission properties,i.e. a transmission passband in a wavelength range, which is adapted tothe wavelength range of the light emitted by the light source.

However, in particular for spectral filters relying on interferenceeffects such as dielectric spectral filters, the transmission passbandand therefore the wavelengths that may pass the filter depend on theincidence angle of the light on the spectral filter. That is, typicallythe transmission passband shifts towards smaller wavelengths when theincidence angle becomes larger. The shift of the transmission passbandis in particular problematic when the passband is narrower than thespectrum of the dedicated light source. However, a narrow passband isdesirable to suppress the contribution of the ambient light in imagedetection.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for opticalimaging comprising a light source and a light detection unit, whereinthe light emitted by the light source may be detected in an efficientmanner while improving the suppression of ambient light. The inventionfurther relates to a use of a lighting device and a method for producinga lighting device based on the aforementioned object.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system foroptical imaging is provided, the system comprising: a light source; alight detection unit; a first spectral filter of the light source,wherein the first spectral filter has a first angular dependence of atransmission passband; and a second spectral filter of the lightdetection unit, wherein the second spectral filter has a second angulardependence of a transmission passband; wherein the first angulardependence and the second angular dependence are matched to each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a use of alighting device for optical imaging is provided, the lighting devicehaving a light source and a first spectral filter, wherein the firstspectral filter has a first angular dependence of a transmissionpassband; wherein the lighting device is used to provide illuminationfor a light detection unit having a second spectral filter, wherein thesecond spectral filter has a second angular dependence of a transmissionpassband; and wherein the first angular dependence and the secondangular dependence are matched to each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method forproducing a lighting device for optical imaging is provided, the methodcomprising: providing a light source; providing a first spectral filter,wherein the first spectral filter has a first angular dependence of atransmission passband; matching the first angular dependence to a secondangular dependence of a second spectral filter for a light detectionunit, the second spectral filter having the second angular dependence ofa transmission passband; and combining the light source and the firstspectral filter in a lighting device.

Exemplary embodiments of the first, second and third aspect of theinvention may have one or more of the properties described below.

The light source is configured to illuminate an object underinvestigation. The light source emits in particular a spectrum within arange of wavelengths that corresponds to the first spectral filterand/or second filter, for example in that the light source has at leastone intensity maximum in the transmission passband of the filter(s) atleast under one incidence angle. The light source may in particular emitlight in the (near) infrared range, visible range, and/or theultraviolet range.

The light detection unit may comprise one or more optical sensors thatare capable to determine the intensity of incident light, in particularin the (near) infrared range, visible range, and/or the ultravioletrange. In particular, the light detection unit is configured to obtain aspatial and/or angular resolution of light reflected from an objectunder instigation, which object of instigation is illuminated by thelight source. To determine an intensity of incident light, the lightdetection unit may comprise at least one semiconductor element, e.g. atleast one diode, CCD element, and/or CMOS element. The light detectionunit may comprise optical elements such as diffractive or refractiveelements, e.g. lenses and/or reflecting surfaces.

The first spectral filter of the light source is provided, which isarranged to filter the light emitted by the light source towards anobject under investigation. Similarly, the second spectral filter of thelight detection unit is arranged to filter the light directed towardsthe light detection unit, e.g. when reflected from the object underinstigation, before the light is detected in the light detection unit.The first and second spectral filters are passband filters and areconfigured to supress the transmission of light with wavelengths outsideat least one corresponding transmission passband, while the light withwavelengths inside the corresponding transmission passband is mostly orcompletely transmitted. For instance, the transmission passband(s) ofthe spectral filter(s) may be represented by a wavelength range in whichthe spectral filter has a transmissivity of at least 50%, in particularat least 80%, while the transmissivity of the remaining wavelengthranges is lower than these values, and in particular lower than 10% or5%. The transmission passband(s) may be characterized by an averagetransmissivity (T_(avg)), centre wavelength (CWL), guaranteed minimumbandwidth (GMBW), and/or full width half maximum (FWHM). Thetransmissivity outside the transmission passband(s) may be characterizedby an optical density (OD).

The first spectral filter has a first angular dependence of thetransmission passband. That is, the transmission properties change withthe incidence angle on the first filter. Light emitted by the lightsource towards different directions therefore may have differentspectral characteristics (i.e. a different intensity distribution independence of wavelength) after passing the first spectral filter.

Similarly, the second spectral filter of the light detection unit has asecond angular dependence of a transmission passband. That is, thetransmission properties change with the incidence angle on the secondfilter and light directed towards the light detection unit may befiltered with different spectral characteristics by means of the secondfilter depending on the incidence angle.

For example, the first spectral filter and/or second spectral filter mayhave a substantially flat or planar shape, wherein the transmissionpassband changes with the incidence angle that may be defined as theangle of the light hitting the respective filter relative to a normaldirection of said flat shape. For instance, at least one of the spectraltransmissive properties, e.g. CWL (Center Wave Length), FWHM (Full Widthat Half Maximum), T_(avg) (Transmission average), and OD may shift orvary depending on the incidence angle on the first spectral filterand/or second spectral filter.

With the present invention, it has been found that the first angulardependence and second angular dependence may be used to improve theefficiency of the detection, while suppressing the contribution ofambient light, while optimizing the amount of light emitted by the lightsource in the detection by the light detection unit. The first angulardependence and the second angular dependence are matched to each other.For instance, the light source and the light detection unit, togetherwith the first spectral filter and the second spectral filter may bearranged such that an object under instigation may be brought into aposition wherein light emitted by the light source is detected by thelight detection unit after reflection by the object. The relativearrangement may be configured such that the light emitted at a certainangle (with a transmission passband according to the incidence angle atthe first spectral filter and therefore a specific wavelength rangepassing the first spectral filter) and reflected by the object impingesat an incidence angle at the second spectral filter such that thetransmission passband of the second spectral filter is matched to thespecific wavelength range passing the first spectral filter. Forinstance, at least one of CWL, FWHM may be substantially identical forthe first spectral filter and the second spectral filter in respect tothis combination of incidence angles. Hence, contrary to a strategy ofchoosing filter types that show a small angular dependence of thetransmission passbands, the angular dependence of the transmissionpassbands in the first and second spectral filters may be used in anadvantageous manner, increasing the intensity of light detected by thelight detection unit while improving the contrast between the(dedicated) light source and the ambient light. Further, filter typesthat show a small angular dependence of the transmission passbands maybe cost-intensive to produce, as such filter typically comprise a largenumber of layers. With the present invention, filter types that are morecost-effective to produce and that in particular comprise only fewlayers may be utilized.

To optimize the suppression of the ambient light, in particular thefirst spectral filter and/or second spectral filter may have a narrowtransmission passband. In particular, the transmission passband may benarrow in comparison to the wavelength range emitted by the lightsource. In some embodiments, the FWHM of the transmission passband ofthe first spectral filter and/or second spectral filter may be smalleror equal than 50 nm, in particular smaller or equal than 40 nm or 20 nm.For narrow transmission passbands, matching the first angular dependenceand the second angular dependence to each other results in a significantimprovement of detected intensity, as the shift of the transmissionpassband(s) due to the variation in incidence angle may be larger thanthe width of the transmission passband(s).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first spectral filterand the second spectral filter have a substantially identicaltransmission passband. That is, the CWL, FWHM, T_(avg), and OD may besubstantially identical for at least one combination of incidenceangles. In particular, the first angular dependence and the secondangular dependence are substantially identical. For instance, the CWL,and/or FWHM of the first spectral filter and the second spectral filtermay be substantially identical under an identical incidence angle. Forexample, a similar filter type is used with similar optical elements. Incase an interference filter is used, the layered structure of the filtermay for example be similar and may comprise similar (e.g. substantiallyidentical or identical) materials and/or layer thicknesses.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the light source and thelight detection unit are arranged adjacent to each other. With the lightsource and detection unit being arranged adjacent to each other, when anobject is positioned in front of the light detection unit, the emissionangle of the light source (and in particular the incidence angle on thefirst spectral filter) and the incidence angle on the light detectionunit (and in particular the incidence angle on the second spectralfilter) can be matched in a particular simple manner, such that forinstance a first spectral filter and a second spectral filter with asubstantially identical transmission passband may be used. Further,arranging the light source and the light detection unit adjacent to eachother may result in a small form factor that is beneficial forincorporating the system into electronic devices such as mobile devices.

As already mentioned above, in particular a first and/or second spectralfilter based on an interference filter may be used. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention the first spectral filter and/or the secondspectral filter comprises at least one dielectric filter. Dielectricfilters typically show a high suppression of light outside thetransmission passband(s) and may be configured for a variety ofdifferent light sources. Further, dielectric filter may show a distinctangular dependence of the passband(s) and are therefore particularlyuseful for the matching of the first angular dependence and the secondangular dependence.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first spectralfilter and/or the second spectral filter comprises at least one photoniccrystal, at least one diffractive optical element, at least onemetasurface filter, at least one plasmonic filter, and/or at least onenano-resonator filter. The corresponding filter types may also show adistinct angular dependence of the passband(s), such that theintensities of the detected light and the suppression of ambient lightmay be optimized when using these filter types for the first spectralfilter and/or the second spectral filter.

The first spectral filter and/or second spectral filter may have asingle transmission passband, e.g. the filter may have only a single(continuous) wavelength range wherein a substantial transmission oflight is allowed. However, the present invention is not restricted tofilter types for the first and second spectral filter having only asingle passband. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, thefirst spectral filter and/or the second spectral filter has a dualtransmission passband. Hence, the intensity of the light emitted anddetected in by the system may be improved. In case of a dualtransmission passband, the first and second angular dependences of oneof the two transmission passbands may be matched. Further, bothpassbands of the dual transmission passband may also be matched in theirangular dependencies. For example, a spectral filter that passeswavelengths in the visible light range and wavelengths in the NIR rangemay be used. In particular, the passband in the visible range is a widepassband and the passband in the NIR range is a narrow passband. Thepassbands may also have different angular dependences. For instance, thepassband in the visible range may have a smaller angular shift than thepassband in the NIR range. A smaller angular shift in the visible rangemay be advantageous to obtain color consistency in the light detectionunit, e.g. in a color camera such as an RGB sensor. In particular, theNIR passband of a dual passband spectral filter may be (more) sensitiveto the incidence angle than a single NIR passband spectral filter. Inother embodiments, first and/or second spectral filters with multiplepassbands and more than two passbands may be used, i.e. threetransmission passbands or more.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light sourcecomprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED). LEDs may comprise atleast one semiconductor element such as a p-n-junction, a diode, and/ora transistor. For instance, the LEDs may be provided in form of separateor combined LED dies and/or LED packages, wherein particular at leastone LED may be arranged on a substrate. An LED package may for instancecomprise a wavelength conversion element (e.g. based on phosphor) and/ormay comprise at least one optical element such as a diffusing layer, adiffractive element (e.g. a lens) and/or a reflective element (e.g.reflecting elements such as a reflecting cup). The light source and inparticular the LED may be configured to emit light in a wavelength rangeof 400 nm to 1100 nm, in particular 800 nm to 1000 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light sourceand in particular the LED is partially encased by a package comprisingreflective elements. By surrounding at least part of the light sourcewith a reflective package, firstly, the amount of light directed towardsthe first spectral filter may be enhanced.

Secondly, in particular when using a first spectral filter based on adielectric filter, light not passing the first spectral filter may bereflected by the first spectral filter and may then again be reflectedwithin the package. When the reflective elements reflect the light backtowards the first spectral filter with a different incidence angle, thelight may have multiple opportunities to pass the first spectral filter.Hence, the overall intensity of light passing the first spectral filteris improved.

Thirdly, the reflective elements in the package may be used to shape thebeam of light, e.g. by means of elements such as a reflector cup. Thereflective elements may have a high specular and/or diffuse reflectance.The reflective elements may have a shape that is adapted to the geometryof the spatial distribution of light emission of the light source, e.g.the at least one LED, such that the amount of light redirected towardsthe first spectral filter is further optimized. The package may beconfigured as a “white” package, wherein the white package for instancecomprises “white” walls encapsulating the light source with highlyreflective material, such as polymer materials like silicone. Reflectiveparticles such as TiO_(x) particles may be embedded in the polymermaterial. The white package may comprise side walls for at least one LEDand in particular comprise a substrate or lead frame for at least oneLED coated with a reflective material.

The package may in particular further comprise the first spectralfilter. For instance, the reflective elements such as reflective sidewalls may be configured as support for the first spectral filter. In anembodiment, the reflective elements may surround the light sourceforming an opening, wherein the first spectral filter covers theopening. Hence, light is essentially reflected within the package untilthe light impinges on the first spectral filter with an incidence anglethat allows the light to be transmitted, wherein the wavelength of thelight lies within the transmission passband at that particular incidenceangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electronicdevice is provided, the electronic device comprising the system foroptical imaging according to the first aspect of the invention. Theelectronic device may be configured for optical authentication andbiometry, for instance for an authentication based on iris and/or facerecognition. The electronic device may for instance be configured as acomputer, a thin client and/or a portable computer (mobile device), suchas a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wearable, a personal digitalassistant or a smartphone. The electronic device comprising the systemmay also be configured for machine vision. In particular, the opticalimaging may be used in automated inspection. The electronic device maybe configured to perform the optical authentication and/or machinevision as a standalone system or in conjunction with other devices. Forexample, the electronic device may be configured to connect to a networkto perform optical authentication and/or machine vision together withother devices connected to the network.

The method according to the third aspect comprises providing a lightsource; providing a first spectral filter, wherein the first spectralfilter has a first angular dependence of a transmission passband on anincidence angle; and combining the light source and the first spectralfilter in a lighting device.

The first angular dependence is matched to a second angular dependenceof a second spectral filter. For instance, the second spectral filtermay have known characteristics and the first spectral filter is chosenaccordingly, in particular wherein the first spectral filter is chosento have a substantially identical transmission passband to a secondspectral filter. Further, the first angular dependence may be chosensuch that is substantially identical to a second angular dependence of asecond spectral filter. Hence, the lighting device produced by themethod according to the third aspect may be particularly suitable forcombination with a light detection unit with a second spectral filterhaving the second angular dependence of a transmission passband on anincidence angle. As described above, the lighting device may be used foroptimization of the intensity of light detected by the light detectionunit while effectively suppressing the contribution of ambient light.

In another exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the lightsource is partially encased by a package comprising reflective elements,wherein the reflective package in particular further comprises the firstspectral filter. The intensity of light transmitted through the firstspectral filter may therefore be enhanced, as light may reflected at thefirst spectral filter may be reflected in the package and subsequentlypass the first spectral filter.

In another exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the methodaccording to the third aspect may further comprise: combining thelighting device with a light detection unit and the second spectralfilter for the light detection unit. Hence, a system according to thefirst aspect may be produced by the method according to the invention.

The features and example embodiments of the invention described abovemay equally pertain to the different aspects according to the presentinvention. In particular, with the disclosure of features relating tothe system according to first aspect also corresponding featuresrelating to the use according to the second aspect and to the and themethod for production according to the third aspect are disclosed.

It is to be understood that the presentation of embodiments of theinvention in this section is merely exemplary and non-limiting.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should bemade to the appended claims. It should be further understood that thedrawings are not drawn to scale and that they are merely intended toconceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with referenceto the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1A shows an angular dependence of a transmission passband in asingle-passband spectral filter;

FIG. 1B shows an angular dependence of a transmission passband in adual-passband spectral filter;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a system according to the first aspectof the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a light source; and

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a light detection unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1A shows an angular dependence of a transmission passband of asingle-passband spectral filter. The transmissivity T of the spectralfilter is shown in dependence of the wavelength λ, wherein threedifferent incidence angles are plotted. The spectral filter comprises aplanar shape, wherein the incidence angle is measured relative to asurface normal of the planar shape. In the example shown in FIG. 1A,transmission passbands for incidence angles of 0°, 45°, and 60° areshown. The transmission passband has a distinct angular dependence onthe incidence angle, wherein the transmission passband shifts towardssmaller wavelengths with increasing incidence angle. For instance, thecenter wavelength (CWL) of the transmission passband shifts towardssmaller wavelengths with increasing incidence angle.

The spectral filter has a narrow transmission passband in the sense thatthe transmission passband is narrow in comparison to the wavelengthrange 2 emitted by a light source such as an LED. The FWHM of thetransmission passband of the spectral filter is smaller or equal than 60nm. The wavelength range 2 may for instance extend from 400 nm to 1100nm, in particular from 800 nm to 1000 nm for biometric authenticationpurposes.

FIG. 1B shows an angular dependence of a transmission passband in a dualpassband spectral filter. Two distinct transmission passbands can beseen that both show an angular dependence on the incidence angle, withincidence angles of 0° and 45° being indicated in FIG. 1B.

Spectral filters with properties as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be usedin a system for optical imaging according to the invention and may forinstance comprise at least one dielectric filter. Further, the spectralfilters may also comprise at least one photonic crystal, at least onediffractive optical element, at least one metasurface filter, at leastone plasmonic filter, and/or at least one nano-resonator filter.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a system 4 according to the firstaspect of the invention. The system comprises a light source 6 and alight detection unit 8. FIGS. 3 and 4 show sectional views of a lightsource 6 and a light detection unit 8 that can be used in the system 4,respectively, and are described in further detail below.

The system 4 is configured for optical imaging for opticalauthentication purposes in that an image of the face of a person 10 isrecorded. To this end, the light source 6 serves as a dedicated lightsource for the light detection unit 8, wherein a first spectral filter12 and second spectral filter 14 are used to suppress the contributionof ambient light in the image recorded by the light detection unit 8.System 4 may be an element of an electronic device, wherein theelectronic device is configured for optical authentication and/orbiometric analysis.

The first spectral filter 12 of the light source 6 has a first angulardependence of a transmission passband on an incidence angle and thesecond spectral filter 14 of the light detection unit 8 has a secondangular dependence of a transmission passband on an incidence angle. Inparticular, to increase the intensity of light originating from thelight source 6 that is detected by the light detection unit 8, whilefirst and second spectral filters 12, 14 have narrow transmissionpassbands, the first angular dependence and the second angulardependence are matched to each other.

In FIG. 2, the light source 6 and the light detection unit 8 arearranged adjacent to each other. The first spectral filter 12 and thesecond spectral filter 14 have a substantially identical transmissionpassband in that the first angular dependence and the second angulardependence are substantially identical. For instance, the transmissionpassband for a given incidence angle is substantially identical and theshift of the transmission passband (e.g. the CWL) due to variations inthe incidence angle is substantially identical.

Light ray 16 passes the first spectral filter 12 at a certain incidenceangle α₁₆ with a wavelength λ₁₆ within the transmission passband,wherein said transmission passband corresponds to said incidence angleα₁₆. After being reflected from the face of person 10, the light ray 16impinges on the second spectral filter 14 with an incidence angle α′₁₆.As the first angular dependence and the second angular dependence arematched to each other, the light ray 16 (with its correspondingwavelength λ₄₆) may pass the second spectral filter 14 and can bedetected in the light detection unit 8.

Light ray 18 passes the first spectral filter 12 at an incidence angleα₁₈ with a wavelength λ₁₈ within the transmission passband, wherein saidtransmission passband corresponds to said incidence angle α₁₈. In thisexample, the incidence angles α₁₆ and α₁₈ and—due to the first angulardependence of first spectral filter 12—the wavelengths λ₁₆ and λ₁₈ aredifferent. After being reflected from the face of person 10, the lightray 18 impinges on the second spectral filter 14 with an incidence angleα′₁₈. Similar to the situation for light ray 16, as the first angulardependence and the second angular dependence are matched to each other,the light ray 18 (with its corresponding wavelength λ₁₈) may pass thesecond spectral filter 14 and can be detected in the light detectionunit 8.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a light source 6 that may be used inthe system 4 depicted in FIG. 2. The light source 6 and the firstspectral filter 12 may represent a lighting device according to thesecond and third aspect of the invention. The light source 6 comprisesan LED 20 that is partially encased by a package comprising reflectiveelements, which are configured as reflective side walls 22 for asubstrate 24. The substrate 24 is for instance configured as printedcircuit board with a wire 26 providing electrical connection to thefront side of the LED 20. The substrate 24 is covered with a reflectivecoating 28 as reflective element. Reflective side walls 22 andreflective coating 28 for instance comprise white silicone, i.e.silicone with embedded reflective particles such as TiO_(x). The LED 20is further surrounded by a transparent filling 30 for protection, e.g. atransparent filling 30 comprising transparent silicone.

The package further comprises the first spectral filter 12, which issupported by a carrier 32. The carrier 32 may for instance compriseglass or transparent plastics. As illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3,light rays emitted by the LED 20 are filtered by the first spectralfilter 12 depending on the incidence angle, wherein the solid, dashedand dotted arrows represent different wavelengths, respectively. In casea light ray does not pass the first spectral filter (as its wavelengthis not within the transmission passband corresponding to its incidenceangle), the light ray may be reflected by the first spectral filter 12.Due to the reflective elements of the package, the light ray may then bereflected within the package one or more times and may be redirectedtowards the first spectral filter 12 with a different incidence angle.The package therefore drastically enhances the intensity of lightpassing the first spectral filter 12, wherein light rays may bereflected until their incidence angle allows the light rays to pass thefirst spectral filter 12.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a light detection unit 8 that may beused in the system 4 depicted in FIG. 2. The second spectral 14 filteris arranged on an optical sensor 34 such as a CMOS sensor. Similar toFIG. 3, solid, dashed and dotted arrows represent light rays withdifferent wavelengths originating from the light source 6 and beingreflected on the object under instigation. A lens assembly 36 isprovided, which may for instance be used to focus light rays with thesame incidence angle on the lens assembly 36 on the same location of theoptical sensor 34, while also retaining the same incidence angle on thesecond spectral filter 14. The lens assembly 36 is mounted in a lensholder body 38.

As the first and second angular dependence are matched to each other,the amount of light passing the second spectral filter 14 may beoptimized, as the light rays travel towards the second spectral filter14 with an incidence angle that matches the transmission passband of thesecond spectral filter 14 to the wavelength of the light rays.

It will be understood that all presented embodiments are only exemplary,and that any feature presented for a particular exemplary embodiment maybe used with any aspect of the invention on its own or in combinationwith any feature presented for the same or another particular exemplaryembodiment and/or in combination with any other feature not mentioned.It will further be understood that any feature presented for an exampleembodiment in a particular category may also be used in a correspondingmanner in an example embodiment of any other category.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a light source comprising: alight-emitting device configured to generate light having a wavelengthrange, and a first spectral filter configured to receive the lightgenerated by the light-emitting device, the first spectral filter havinga first transmission passband with characteristics that include a shifttowards smaller wavelengths with increasing incidence angle of the lightimpinging thereon and narrow compared to the wavelength range of thelight; and a light detection unit comprising: a second spectral filterconfigured to receive light from the light source that has beenreflected by an object, the second spectral filter having a secondtransmission passband with characteristics that match thecharacteristics of the first spectral filter; and an optical sensorconfigured to receive light that has passed through the second spectralfilter.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting devicecomprises a light-emitting diode (LED).
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first and second transmission passband has afull width at half maximum (FWHM) of at most about 50 nm.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein an exit surface of the light-emitting device fromwhich the light generated by the light-emitting device exits thelight-emitting device and an entrance surface of the light detectionunit at which the light from the light source that has been reflected bythe object enters the light detection unit are substantially parallel.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the light source is adjacent the lightdetection unit.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondspectral filter each have dual transmission passbands with a first dualtransmission passband in a visible light range and a second dualtransmission passband in a near infrared (NIR) range.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the first dual transmission passband has a widerbandwidth than the second dual transmission passband in each of thefirst and second spectral filter.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein thefirst and second dual transmission passbands have different angulardependencies in each of the first and second spectral filter.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the first dual transmission passband has asmaller angular shift than the second dual transmission passband.
 10. Acamera comprising: a light source comprising: a light-emitting deviceconfigured to generate light having a wavelength range, a first spectralfilter configured to receive the light generated by the light-emittingdevice, the first spectral filter having a first transmission passbandwith characteristics that include a shift towards smaller wavelengthswith increasing incidence angle of the light impinging thereon andhaving a full width at half maximum (FWHM) that is narrow compared tothe wavelength range of the light, and side surfaces that extend betweenthe light emitting device and the first spectral filter and arereflective to the light having the wavelength range; and a lightdetection unit adjacent the light detection unit, the light detectionunit comprising: a second spectral filter configured to receive lightfrom the light source that has been reflected by an object, the secondspectral filter having a second transmission passband withcharacteristics that match the characteristics of the first spectralfilter; and an optical sensor configured to receive light that haspassed through the second spectral filter.
 11. The camera of claim 10,further comprising a processor configured to receive signals from thelight detection unit, the signals corresponding to the light received bythe optical sensor, the light including the light from the light sourcethat has been reflected by the object and ambient light, the processorconfigured to perform ambient light image subtraction.
 12. The camera ofclaim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second transmissionpassband has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of at most about 50 nm.13. The camera of claim 10, wherein an exit surface of thelight-emitting device from which the light generated by thelight-emitting device exits the light-emitting device and an entrancesurface of the light detection unit at which the light from the lightsource that has been reflected by the object enters the light detectionunit are substantially parallel.
 14. The camera of claim 10, wherein thefirst and second spectral filter each have dual transmission passbandswith a first dual transmission passband in a visible light range and asecond dual transmission passband in a near infrared (NIR) range. 15.The camera of claim 14, wherein the first dual transmission passband hasa wider bandwidth than the second dual transmission passband in each ofthe first and second spectral filter.
 16. The camera of claim 14,wherein the first and second dual transmission passbands have differentangular dependencies in each of the first and second spectral filter.17. The camera of claim 16, wherein the first dual transmission passbandhas a smaller angular shift than the second dual transmission passband.18. The camera of claim 10, wherein the light-emitting device isdisposed on a substrate and a reflective coating is disposed on thesubstrate between the light-emitting device and the side surfaces, thereflective coating configured to reflect the light generated by thelight-emitting device.
 19. The camera of claim 18, wherein the sidesurfaces extend non-perpendicularly between the substrate and the firstspectral filter.
 20. A method of operating a lighting system, the methodcomprising: generating light having a wavelength range; filtering thelight using a first spectral filter having a first transmission passbandthat shifts towards smaller wavelengths with increasing incidence angleof the light and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) that is narrowcompared to the wavelength range of the light; and detecting, by anoptical sensor, the light after reflection by an object and filtering bya second spectral filter having a second transmission passband withmatching shift and FWHM characteristics as the first spectral filter.21. The method of claim 20, further comprising performing ambient lightimage subtraction to subtract the detected light from ambient lightdetected by the optical sensor.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein: thefirst and second spectral filter each have dual transmission passbandswith a first dual transmission passband in a visible light range and asecond dual transmission passband in a near infrared (NIR) range, andthe first dual transmission passband has a smaller angular shift thanthe second dual transmission passband.